Efficient moves via repository

ABSTRACT

A storage library is described that includes a shelf system adapted to support a number of tape cartridges. The storage library further includes a tape drive adapted to read and write data to and from tape cartridges. The storage library further possesses a temporary repository near the tape drive that is adapted to facilitate an exchange of a first tape cartridge intended to be loaded in the tape drive with a second tape cartridge ready to be removed from the tape drive with a single tape picker device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present embodiments are directed to a data cartridge magazinelibrary that is useful in storing data on a recording medium located ina cartridge and/or retrieving data from such a recording medium.

2. Description of Related Art

Presently, data cartridge magazine libraries transfer tape cartridgesvia a data cartridge magazine between a shelf system and a tape drive.If access to a target tape cartridge is required, for reading and/orwriting data, the target tape cartridge disposed in a magazine is movedfrom a shelf system to the target tape drive where the target tapecartridge is loaded therein. Following any access requirement, the tapecartridge is returned to the shelf system via the corresponding magazinebefore a different tape cartridge often in a different magazine isaccessed. These basic operations are essentially repeated each and everytime a new tape cartridge is accessed.

It is to innovations related to this subject matter that the claimedinvention is generally directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiments generally relate to a cartridge magazine-basedlibrary that reduces the number of robotic motion steps between a shelfsystem and drive by incorporating a transitional repository thattemporarily holds cartridges near the drive. Some embodiments of thepresent invention contemplate a data storage library comprising atemporary repository that is adapted to temporarily hold a first datacartridge after being ejected from a drive and prior to being disposedin a magazine, a picker device arranged to move a second data cartridgefrom the magazine to the drive when the first data cartridge is disposedin the temporary repository.

Other embodiments of the present invention can therefore comprise a datastorage library arranged to perform a method, the method comprisingmoving a second portable data cartridge from a second slot in a portablemagazine to a data transfer device while a first portable data cartridgeis retained in a temporary repository, prior to being retained in thetemporary repository the first portable data cartridge was engaged in acooperating relationship with the data transfer device; and disposingthe first portable data cartridge device in the second slot after themoving step.

Yet other embodiments of the present invention can therefore comprise astorage library arranged to perform a method, the method comprising:receiving a first set of instructions from a host computer to unload afirst data storage cartridge from a cartridge data transfer device andreturn the first data storage cartridge to a designated location in ashelf system; responding to the host computer that the first set ofinstructions are complete, even though the first set of instructionshave not been physically carried out; receiving a second set ofinstructions from the host computer to move a second data storagecartridge from the shelf system and load the second data storagecartridge in the cartridge data transfer device; transporting the seconddata storage cartridge from the shelf system to a position where apicker device is capable of disposing the second data storage cartridgein the cartridge data transfer device, the second data storage cartridgeis disposed in a magazine that accommodates a plurality of data storagecartridges; removing the first data storage cartridge from the cartridgedata transfer device via the picker device and disposing the first datastorage cartridge in a repository; loading the second data storagecartridge in the cartridge data transfer device; and removing the firstdata storage cartridge from the repository; disposing the first datastorage cartridge in the magazine; and transporting the magazinepossessing the first data storage cartridge back to the shelf system.

And, yet other embodiments of the present invention can thereforecomprise a library storage system adapted to replace a first storagecartridge relating with a cartridge data transfer device with a secondstorage cartridge using a robotic transporter that essentially makes afirst move carrying the second storage cartridge disposed in a magazine,adapted to support a plurality of storage cartridges, from a shelfsystem to deliver to the cartridge data transfer device and a secondmove, using the robotic transporter, returning the first storagecartridge disposed in the magazine to the shelf system, the first moveoccurs before the second move.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a data storage arrangement constructed inaccordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective illustration of a tape magazine supportingtape cartridges constructed in accordance with certain embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2B shows a perspective illustration of a tape magazine revealingtape cartridge slots constructed in accordance with certain embodimentsof the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-3F are illustrations of a transporter and picker devicecooperating with a repository system constructed in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a method consistent with certainembodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A-5F are illustrations of a transporter and picker devicecooperating with a repository system constructed in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a method consistent with certainembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a multi-robotic storage arrangement inaccordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings in general, and more specifically to FIG. 1,shown therein is an illustration of a data storage arrangementconstructed in accordance with various embodiments of the presentinvention. In what follows, similar or identical structures may beidentified using identical callouts.

The data storage arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1 can comprise a userof data 102, such as a client or host, in communication with a datastorage library 100. As illustratively shown, the client 102 is incommunication with the library 100 via a communication path 104 and thelibrary interface device 106. The library 100 comprises a plurality oftape cartridges 120 disposed in a tape cartridge magazine, such as tapecartridge magazine ‘A’ 113A. Herein, tape cartridge magazine 113 will beused to denote a generic cartridge magazine and tape cartridges 120 willbe used to denote a generic cartridge. Each tape cartridge magazine 113contains a plurality of slots (shown in FIG. 2) wherein each slot isadapted to accommodate a tape cartridge 120. A tape cartridge 120 is oneembodiment of a portable data storage cartridge, which can include othercartridge devices such as portable solid state devices, tape drivecleaning cartridges, conventional magnetic disk drives adapted forportability, such as in a cartridge, and other storage elements packagedaccordingly, which are distinguishable over storage elements such asstand-alone disks.

Here, the library 100 may be configured to maintain a map of the slotsin each magazine 113. More specifically, each slot in a magazine 113will have a unique identification, such as an address, that isidentifiable by the host computer 102 via a map of logical addressesprovided by the library 100, and such as a map system 108, in thisexample. A tape cartridge 120 disposed in a particular slot may assumethe identity of the particular slot for purposes of the mapping system108. Hence, a tape cartridge 120 disposed in a third slot having anaddress mapped as slot number three will assume the identity of slotnumber three. In other words, the tape cartridge will be mapped andidentified as “slot number three” in this example. Optionally, a tapecartridge 120 can be simply identified by a serial number, or otherindicia (such as a bar code, medium auxiliary memory information, etc.),and be assigned, or mapped, to a slot, by a host computer 102, forexample.

The library 100 can further comprise at least one robotic transporter124, though in optional library embodiments, multiple transportersexist. The robotic transporter 124 comprises a carriage or othertransporting means to carry a tape cartridge magazine 113 from the shelfsystem 115 to a position ready to load a tape cartridge 120 into a tapedrive 130A or 130B. Generically, a tape drive is denoted herein aselement 130. In the present embodiment, the shelf system 115 is arrangedto archive the tape cartridge magazines 113, or independent tapecartridges 120, within the library 100. A data transfer devicefacilitates data storage operations (such as, reading and writing) toand from a portable data cartridge device, such as a tape cartridge,solid state memory cartridge, or other portable memory device within thespirit of the embodiments described herein. By way of example, a tapedrive 130 is an embodiment of a data transfer device that is adapted tocooperate, or relate, with a portable data storage cartridge. Hence, ifa data storage cartridge is a portable solid state device, a datatransfer device will likely include a connector device that connectswith the solid state device, thus, facilitating storage operationsbetween a client 102 and the portable solid state device, for example.An example of a robotic transporter 124 is a robotic device that movesalong a rail system via a belt device, a motorized rack and pinionarrangement, a lead screw arrangement, a motor with wheels, etc. Thetape cartridge 120 can be loaded into or removed from a tape drive 130via a picker device 122 that is carried by the robotic transport 124,for example. The cooperating relationship between a tape cartridge 120and a tape drive 130 is one that facilitates data storage operations,such as reading and writing data to and from the cooperating tapecartridge 120. In an optional embodiment, the tape cartridges 120 may beassociated with different users of data, which can occur when thestorage resources in the library 100 are divided into two or morepartitions wherein each partition is associated with the different userof data, for example. The position ready to transfer the tape cartridge120 into a tape drive from a magazine 113 is a location that facilitatesa tape cartridge 120 to be inserted in one of the drives 130A or 130B,such as tape cartridge 120A shown in a cooperating relationship with thefirst tape drive 130A. In the present embodiment, the position ready totransfer the tape cartridge 120 into a tape drive from a magazine 113does not require further movement via the robotic transporter 124,rather the picker device 124 moves a cartridge 120 from the magazine 113to a drive 130. This is also a position that can facilitate the transferof a tape cartridge 120 to a temporary repository location 112A or 112Bjust prior to loading the tape cartridge 120 in a tape drive 130.Generically, a temporary repository is denoted herein as element 112.

The library 100 also optionally comprises an entry/exit port 110 wherebytape cartridges 120 or tape cartridge magazine 113 comprising aplurality of tape cartridges 120 can be transferred between anenvironment external to the library 100 and an environment internal tothe library 100. In this embodiment, the library 100 comprises agraphical user interface 132 and an auxiliary memory 134, such as one ormore disk drives, solid state memory or other non-volatile memorydevice/s capable of retaining (storing) relevant information, such asmapping address information of each tape cartridge 120, for example. Thelibrary 100 further possesses a computer or Central Processing Unit(CPU) 136 that houses at least on macro controller that activelycooperates with algorithms to orchestrate actions to components withinthe library 100, for example, over a Computer Area Network (CAN), notshown. The library 100 possesses a controller/map system 108, which canoptionally be functionally included with the CPU 136. The controller/mapsystem 108 maintains the addresses of the components mapped out for theclient 102 (i.e., tape slot addresses, drive addresses, robot addresses,etc.) to direct operations within the library 100. FIG. 1 isillustrative of basic components used to exemplify inventive embodimentsdisclosed herein. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, a datastorage library will generally include devices and structures not shownin the block illustration of FIG. 1, such as additional controllers(e.g., those controlling other components in the library including therobotic transporter 124), wiring, cooling systems, switch systems,lighting, protocol bridges, etc.

The client 102, or host computer, identifies (or “sees”) the componentswithin the library 100 by transmitting a Small Computer SystemsInterface (SCSI) inquiry to scan the storage system's bus (not shown) todiscover what devices comprise the storage system 100. Optionally, themap system 108 can provide the information directly to the client 102.An inquiry can be a client 102 effectively asking the storage system 100“who are you?” and “what are you?” The storage system 100 can bedisplayed showing a plurality of tape cartridges 100 located atspecified slot addresses and showing that there are two tape drives 130Aand 130B at designated addresses and a transporter 124 and/or pickerdevice 122 at designated addresses that are able to receive instructionsfrom the client 102, for example.

Also, illustratively shown in FIG. 1 are transitional repositories 112Aand 112B located near the tape drives 130, i.e., in close proximity. Aswill be discussed below in more detail, the transitional repositories112 are adapted to temporarily hold tape cartridges 120 while the pickerdevice 122 swaps out tape cartridges 120 between uses in a tape drive130 and being disposed in a magazine 113. In an exemplary embodiment, atransitional repository 112 can be located nearby a tape drive 130, suchas immediately above or under a tape drive 130. In an optionalembodiment, a transitional repository 112 can be located withinpreferably forty-eight inches, more preferably thirty-six inches, morepreferably twenty-four inches, and even more preferably twelve inchesfrom a tape drive 130. In yet another optional embodiment, a pluralityof tape drives 130A, 130B may each be associated with a transitionalrepository 112A and 112B, respectively, for example, or optionally, eachof the plurality of drives 130A, 130B may share a single repository 112or a single repository location adapted to accommodate a number of tapecartridges 120. After reviewing the present disclosure, a skilledartisan will appreciate that the transitional repository 120 is atemporary repository that is independent of the shelf system 120, whichis adapted to archive the tape cartridges 210 and/or tape cartridgemagazines 113 in the library 100. In certain embodiments, the temporaryrepository is a static receptacle built into the library 100. In certainembodiments, the client 102 identifies the tape cartridges 120 viacorresponding addresses associated with each slot that accommodates atape cartridge 120 (in this case a magazine 113 but in other cases eachtape cartridge 120 is disposed in individual slots essentially making upa shelf system 115), however, in the present embodiment, the client 102does not have knowledge or, optionally, does not “see” the temporaryrepository 112 because the temporary repository 112 does not have anaddress identifiable by the client 102. In an optional embodiment, theclient 102 can identify the temporary repository 112 via one or moreassociated addresses. The temporary repository 112 is differentiatedfrom a shelf system, whereby the shelf system is intended to archivecartridges in a library. The temporary repository 112 is intended to beused for seconds if not minutes, in contrast to the shelf system 115,which is intended to archive tape cartridges 120 in a permanent orsemi-permanent manner, such as for days if not months (or even years).

With reference to FIG. 2A, shown therein are tape cartridges 120supported by a tape cartridge magazine 113. In more detail, a tapecartridge 120, such as an LTO-3 category tape cartridge, comprisesmagnetic tape that is capable of storing digital data written by acompatible drive 130 or 132, such as an LTO-3 tape drive manufactured byIBM, when in cooperation to read and write data (i.e., loaded) with thetape cartridge 120, as shown in FIG. 1. The tape cartridge magazine 113is illustratively shown populated with a plurality of tape cartridges120. A tape cartridge 120 can be removed from the tape cartridgemagazine 113, as shown by the arrow 202, and inserted into a tape drive130 by means of a picker device 142, shown in FIG. 1. Disposed on thetape cartridge magazine 113 is a bar code identifier 208 for identifyingthe tape cartridge magazine 113, which has utility should the tapecartridge magazine 113 be archived in a media pack storage vault that isremote from a library (i.e., not in a library), for example. In someembodiments, all tape cartridges 120 contain a Medium Auxiliary Memory(MAM) device (not shown), however, in alternative embodiments, some tapecartridges may not contain a MAM device. One example of a MAM device isa flash memory device that is activated by radio frequency. In otherembodiments of the present invention, the magazine 113 can comprise amagazine auxiliary memory device (not shown) that is capable ofcontaining information (such as tape slot address mapping information,i.e., a tape cartridge corresponding to “slot-1” can retain the identityof “slot-1” on the tape cartridge's MAM) from at least one of the datacartridges 120 that the magazine 113 supports. The magazine auxiliarymemory device 112 can receive information that is maintained on the tapecartridge MAM devices contained via one or more MAM devicereaders/writers associated with a tape drive 130, or some reader notassociated with a tape drive 130, for example. Information from the MAMdevices can be read and immediately transmitted to the magazineauxiliary memory device, or alternatively, the information of each MAMdevice can be stored on the auxiliary storage device 134 and thentransferred to the magazine auxiliary memory device, just to name twoexamples.

A MAM device, in one embodiment, is parceled into three regions in whichdata can be stored: a medium device region, which contains informationsuch as a serial number (or some information corresponding to a tape'sbar code, for example), a device region which can contain informationfrom the tape drive such as load count, and host/vendor unique regionwherein information such as history and/or performance data related tothe cartridge 120 can be stored. The information in the regions can besupplemented with new information via an address related to thearrangement of available storage space in the cartridge MAM device.Optionally, the information can be read by an auxiliary memory reader,such as a MAM reader, and reassembled with additional information andstored on the MAM device as the reassembled version, just to name twoexamples. In another example, if the storage limit is reached in the MAMdevice, such as the host/vendor data in the host/vendor unique region,the host/vendor data can be read and stored in an auxiliary storagespace, such as the auxiliary memory 134, and the host/vendor uniqueregion purged and made available for new information. In anotherexample, the host/vendor data can be compressed with algorithms todecompress residing in the library 100 or user of data, for example.

FIG. 2B is an illustration of a mostly empty magazine 113 consistentwith embodiments of the present invention. Here, in one exemplaryembodiment, the magazine 113 possesses a plurality of slots, such as afirst slot 210, a second slot 212, a third slot 214, etc. The depictedmagazine 113 can be mapped to a client 102 as possessing slots onethrough nine. The tape cartridge “A” 204 originated from the first slot210 and, therefore, is also mapped to correspond to the first slot 210address, or more specifically, the tape cartridge 204 with an addressassociated with the first slot 210. Tape cartridge “B” 205 is the onlyother tape cartridge shown in FIG. 2B and is disposed in the eighth slot216. The tape cartridge “B” 205 resides in the eighth slot 216 and,therefore, is also mapped as corresponding to the eighth slot 216address, or more specifically, the tape cartridge 205 possessing anaddress associated with the eighth slot 216.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a method for efficiently moving tapecartridges 120 within a storage library 100 by essentially swapping afirst tape cartridge 120A with a second tape cartridge 120B in relationto a commonly used a tape drive 130. FIG. 4 is described in conjunctionwith FIGS. 3A-3F and FIG. 1. It should be recognized that the stepspresented in the described embodiments of the present invention do notnecessarily require any particular sequence unless otherwise stated.With reference to step 402 in conjunction with FIG. 1, the library 100is generally provided with a first tape drive 130 and a second tapedrive 130B, a temporary tape cartridge repository locations 112A and112B, a robotic transporter 124 with a picker device 122, and aplurality of tape cartridges 120 disposed in a magazine 113 located atthe shelf system 115. A client 102 queries the library 100 to determinethe library's configuration. As shown by the diamond 404, if there is atape cartridge 120 present in a target tape drive 130, then proceed tostep 410, otherwise proceed to step 406. Step 406 is a block showing thereceipt of a request to move a first tape cartridge 120A from theassociated slot and load the first tape cartridge 120A in the tape drive130. The first tape cartridge 120A is identified by the host 120 via anassociated logical address, hereinafter, for simplicity, the logicaladdress will be slot-1. The load request is simplified herein for easeof illustration, however, in actuality, there is a sequence ofinstructions that occurs, including identifying and moving the firsttape cartridge 120A from the shelf system 115 (more specifically slot 1)to loading the first tape cartridge 120A in an engaged, cooperatingrelationship with the tape drive 130 ready to perform read/writeoperations, etc. Step 408 essentially carries out the request to movethe first tape cartridge 120A, which is disposed in the magazine 113,from the shelf system 115 and load the first tape cartridge 120A in thetape drive 130. When the first tape cartridge 120A has completed allstorage operations for the client 102, then proceed to step 410. Here,the library 100 receives an unload request, e.g., from the client 102,to unload the first tape cartridge 120A from the tape drive 130 andreturn the first tape cartridge 120A back to its associated slot address(slot 1). As shown in block 412, the storage system 100 queues theunload request in a queue system, that in one embodiment is maintainedby the library CPU 136 and memory associated therewith. In an optionalembodiment, the queue system can comprise a processor and memory,independent from the library CPU 136, adapted to perform the queuingsteps discussed herein. As shown in block 414, the library 100 canrespond to the client 102 that the unload request is complete prior toactually carrying out the unload request. In certain storage systems,the client 102 will not issue any additional requests until the client102 has confirmation that the present request (in this case the unloadrequest) is completed (i.e., requests that are serial). As shown inblock 416, after receiving the “virtual” confirmation that the unloadrequest was completed, the client 102 issues a second load request tothe library 100 to move a second tape cartridge 120B from the associatedlogical address, to the tape drive 130 and load the second tapecartridge 130B therein to commence storage operations hereinafter forsimplicity the logical address will be slot-2. At this point, thelibrary 100 can manipulate the unload request and the second loadrequest in a more efficient, time-saving, sequence of moves. In anembodiment, as shown in step 418, the second load request can be queuedwith the unload request with a further, optional, response to the client102 that the second load request is completed, step 420, in order toalter the moves between the tape drive 130 and the repository 112, aswill now be discussed.

With reference to FIG. 3A and continued reference to FIG. 4, the firstdepicted tape cartridge 120A is still in the tape drive 130 when therobotic transporter 124 brings the second depicted tape cartridge 120Bto a location near the tape drive 130 via the magazine 113 (step 422).In certain embodiments, the location near the tape drive 130 is aposition in which the robotic transport unit 124 is essentiallystationary while the picker device 122 moves between the tape drive 130,the magazine 113, and the repository slot 112. As illustratively shownin FIG. 3A in conjunction with step 424, the picker device 122 graspsthe first tape cartridge 120A and removes it from the tape drive 130.The arrow indicates the direction of the picker device 122. Asillustratively shown in step 424 and FIG. 3B, the first tape cartridge120A is unloaded and removed from the drive 130A via the picker device122. The picker device then moves the first tape cartridge 120A to thetemporary repository 112 and deposits the first tape cartridge 120Atherein, thus freeing up the picker device 122 to retrieve the secondtape cartridge 120B. As illustratively shown in step 426 and FIG. 3C,the picker device 122 grasps the second tape cartridge 120B from thecorresponding magazine slot 300, which is logically mapped as slot-2.Slot 3 is used herein for convenience of the present description. Asshown in step 426 in conjunction with FIG. 3D, the picker device 422inserts the second tape cartridge 120B into the drive 130 whereby thesecond tape cartridge 120B becomes loaded in the drive 130 to form acooperating read/write relationship. After inserting the second tapecartridge 120B in the drive, step 428 and FIG. 3E, the picker device 122is shown reaching for the first tape cartridge 120A still located in thetemporary repository 112. The picker device 122 grasps the first tapecartridge 120A, removes it from the temporary repository 112, and movesthe first tape cartridge 120A to be inserted in the slot location 300 inthe magazine 113 where the second tape cartridge 120B was previously, asshown in FIG. 3F in conjunction with step 428. After being disposed inthe magazine 113, the slot 300, which now holds the first tape cartridge120A, is remapped to logical address slot-1, which, as discussedearlier, corresponds to the first tape cartridge 120A. At this point,the robotic transporter 124 is free to move the magazine 113 back to theshelf system 115. In optional embodiments, the magazine 113 will remainnext to the drive 130 awaiting new instructions from the host 102 in theevent a tape 120 from that specific magazine 113 is instructed to beloaded in the drive 130 or a nearby drive. This process can essentiallybe repeated with each new request to unload a tape cartridge from a tapedrive 130 and load a different tape cartridge in the tape drive 130, asshown by the flow diagram arrow going to step 410. In an optionalembodiment, though the second tape cartridge 120B came from the slot300, the first tape cartridge 120A is disposed in a different slot otherthan slot 300.

In an optional embodiment, shown in FIGS. 5A-5F in conjunction with FIG.6 and FIG. 1, a requested tape cartridge 120B is moved to the temporaryrepository 112 before loading in a drive 130. After a first tapecartridge 120A, engaged with the drive 130, is instructed to be returnedto its logical slot location, in this case slot-1, and a second tapecartridge 120B is instructed to be loaded in the drive 130, a magazine113 is moved into a position near the tape drive 130. As shown in FIG.5A, the picker device 122 reaches for the second tape 120B (see arrow).As shown in step 602 and FIG. 5B, the second tape cartridge 120B isgrasped by the picking device 122 and is moved to the temporaryrepository 112 to be temporarily disposed therein. After the second tapecartridge 120B is disposed in the temporary repository 112, the pickerdevice 122 reaches and grasps the first tape cartridge 120A, which islocated in the drive 130, FIG. 5C. After grasping the first tapecartridge 120A and removing it from the drive 130, the first tapecartridge is inserted in the open slot 300 in the magazine 113, FIG. 5Dand step 604. In certain embodiments, the slot 300 is remapped as slot-1from slot-2 sometime between when the second tape cartridge 120B wasremoved from the slot 300 to when the first tape cartridge 120A isdisposed in the slot 300. Other embodiments contemplate remapping theslot 300 at some other time. After the first tape cartridge 120A isdisposed in the magazine 113, FIG. 5E, the picker device 122 reaches forthe second tape cartridge 120B located in the temporary repository 112,as depicted in FIG. 5E. FIG. 5F shows the second tape cartridge 120Binserted in the drive 130 after being moved from the temporaryrepository 112, step 606. At this point, the robotic transporter 124 isfree to move the magazine 113 back to the shelf system 115. In optionalembodiments, the magazine 113 will remain next to the drive 130 awaitingnew instructions from the host 102 in the event a tape 120 from thatspecific magazine 113 is instructed to be loaded in the drive 130 or anearby drive. This process can essentially be repeated with each newrequest to unload a tape cartridge from a tape drive 130 and load adifferent tape cartridge in the tape drive 130, as shown by the flowdiagram arrow going to step 410.

In certain embodiments, a tape cartridge library can possess multipledrives and multiple robotic transporters, each with an associated pickerdevice, that cooperate with one another using the queuing system andtemporary repository 112 to enhance efficiency with multiple moves andmultiple move requests/commands. For example, as illustratively shown inFIG. 7, a tape library 700 possessing at least two tape drives 130A and130B, each with a tape cartridge 120A and 120C, respectively, canreceive a first unload command to return the first tape cartridge 120Aback to a shelf system 115 and a second unload command to return thesecond tape cartridge 120C back to the shelf system 115. The firstunload command can be queued for a first tape cartridge 120A and thesecond unload command can be queued for the second tape cartridge 120C.In some embodiments, the originator of the unload commands, such as aclient 102, can be informed that each unload command is completed priorto actually carrying out the unload command in order to invoke theoriginator to send additional commands, such as the second unloadcommand or new load commands, for example. After receiving a first andsecond load command to load new tapes 120B and 120D in the first andsecond tape drives 130A and 130B, respectively, a first robotictransporter and picker 122 can be directed, by the library 700, to movethe first new tape cartridge 120B to the repository 112 and move thesecond tape cartridge 120C from the second tape drive 130B to therepository 112. The two picker devices 122 and 123 can be made toperform various moving sequences of moving tape cartridges 120 from thedrives 130A and 130B to the temporary repositories 112 to improve oroptimize load sequences to save time and/or energy, for example. Incertain embodiments, the library 700 can choose an efficient moveoperation by way of evaluating multiple possible move combinations thatcould be implemented via the picker devices 122 and 123 based on tapecartridge location, robotic transporter location and other possiblefactors, for example.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, therobotic transporter 124 moves to the shelf system to pick up a magazine113 that contains a new tape cartridge 120, moves the new tape to aposition for a picker device 122 to access the temporary repository 112and tape drive 130, all within a short distance. Preferably the robotictransporter 124 does not move at all between the tape drive and therepository, and the picker 122 alone moves cartridges between the tapedrive and the repository. As such, the certain embodiments of thepresent invention essentially require only two major movements of therobotic transporter 124: from the shelf system to the tape drive 130 andfrom the tape drive 130 back to the shelf system 115, whereasconventionally the robotic transporter 124 requires three majormovements: from the shelf system to the tape drive, from the tape driveto the shelf system, and from the shelf system to the tape drive. Thepresent invention reduces the travel of the robotic transporter 124,thereby improving time efficiency and reducing wear on the robotictransporter 124.

As mentioned above, preferably the robotic transporter 124 may remainstationary, and only the picker 122 moves when transporting tapecartridges between the tape drive and the repository and vice-versa. Inother words, both the tape drive and the repository are within the rangeof the picker 122 when the robotic transporter 124 is in a stationaryposition near both the tape drive and the repository.

It will also be appreciated that the temporary repository 112 may onlyhold the a tape cartridge for a relatively short period of time.Preferably such time period is less than one minute, more preferablyless than thirty seconds, and even more preferably less than fiveseconds.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics andadvantages of various embodiments of the present invention have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with the details of thestructure and function of various embodiments of the invention, thisdisclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail,especially in matters of structure and arrangement of parts within theprinciples of the present invention to the full extent indicated by thebroad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims areexpressed. For example, multiple repository slots 112 can be used tosupport multiple tape cartridges 120 or, optionally, one repository slot112 can be arranged to support multiple tape cartridges 120, forexample, while still maintaining substantially the same functionalitywithout departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.Another example can include using these techniques across multiplelibrary partitions, to name a few examples while still maintainingsubstantially the same functionality without departing from the scopeand spirit of the present invention. Further, though communication isdescribed herein as between a client and the library, such as thelibrary 100, communication can be received directly by addressablecomponents, such as the first drive 130, via the interface device 106,for example, without departing from the scope and spirit of the presentinvention. Further, for purposes of illustration, a first and secondtape drive and first and second tape cartridges are used herein tosimplify the description for a plurality of tape drives and tapecartridges. Additionally, as touched upon in conjunction with FIG. 7,multiple robotic transporters can work together with either a common orseparate repository 112 to enhance move efficiency. Finally, althoughthe preferred embodiments described herein are directed to tapecartridge systems, such as the tape cartridges and tape storage systems,such as a tape library and tape drives, and related technology, it willbe appreciated by those skilled in the art that the teachings of thepresent invention can be applied to other systems, such as solid statemedia adapted to be moved or other storage related “cartridges”, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It will be clear that the present invention is well adapted to attainthe ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein.While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposesof this disclosure, numerous changes may be made which readily suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in thespirit of the invention disclosed and as defined in the appended claims.

1. A data storage library comprising: a temporary repository that isadapted to temporarily hold a first data cartridge after being ejectedfrom a drive and prior to being disposed in a mobile magazine; a pickerdevice arranged to move a second data cartridge from said mobilemagazine to said drive when said first data cartridge is disposed insaid temporary repository.
 2. The data storage library of claim 1wherein said mobile magazine possesses a plurality of slots wherein eachslot is adapted to accommodate a data cartridge, said mobile magazine isportable and moved between said drive and a shelf system within saiddata storage library via a robotic transporter.
 3. The data storagelibrary of claim 1 wherein said second data cartridge resides in a firstmagazine slot in said mobile magazine prior to being moved to saidtemporary repository and said first data cartridge is disposed in saidfirst magazine slot when disposed in said mobile magazine, said firstmagazine slot is identifiable by a second address associated with saidsecond data cartridge when said second data cartridge is disposedtherein but said first magazine slot is identifiable by a first addresswhen said first data cartridge is disposed therein.
 4. The data storagelibrary of claim 3 wherein a map associating said first magazine slotwith said second address is maintained by said data storage library. 5.The data storage library of claim 4 wherein a host computer identifiessaid first slot as said second address based on said map.
 6. The datastorage library of claim 1 wherein said temporary repository is notidentifiable via an address by a host computer.
 7. A data storagelibrary arranged to perform a method, the method comprising: moving asecond portable data cartridge from a second slot in a portable magazineto a data transfer device while a first portable data cartridge isretained in a temporary repository, prior to being retained in saidtemporary repository said first portable data cartridge was engaged in acooperating relationship with said data transfer device; and disposingsaid first portable data cartridge device in said second slot after saidmoving step, said portable magazine is adapted to be moved between saiddata transfer device and a shelf system within said data storagelibrary.
 8. The data storage library of claim 7 further comprisingmoving said portable magazine from said shelf system within said datastorage library to a position near said data transfer device.
 9. Thedata storage library of claim 7 wherein said portable data cartridge isa tape cartridge or a drive cleaning cartridge and said data transferdevice is a tape drive.
 10. The data storage library of claim 7 furthercomprising: receiving a first set of instructions from a host computerto unload said first portable data cartridge from said data transferdevice and return said first portable data cartridge to an associatedslot addressed to correspond to said first portable data cartridge;responding to said host computer that said first set of instructions arecomplete, even though said first set of instructions have not beenphysically carried out; receiving a second set of instructions from saidhost computer to move said second portable data cartridge from saidsecond slot and load said second portable data cartridge in acooperating relationship with said data transfer device; transportingsaid second portable data cartridge near said data transfer device via arobotic transporter wherein said second portable data cartridge isdisposed in said portable magazine; and transferring said first portabledata cartridge from said data transfer device and disposing in saidtemporary repository before said moving step.
 11. The data storagelibrary of claim 10 wherein said steps are performed in the orderpresented.
 12. The data storage library of claim 10 further comprisingqueuing said first and said second set of instructions in memory. 13.The library of claim 10 wherein said robotic transporter is controlledvia a controller, the controller receives move instructions from aprocessor, the move instructions are maintained in a storage device, allof which are comprised by the storage library.
 14. The data storagelibrary of claim 7 further comprising remapping said second slot from ansecond address corresponding with said second portable data cartridge toa first address corresponding with said first portable data cartridge.15. The data storage library of claim 14 wherein said first portabledata cartridge is identified by a host computer via a logical mapmaintained by said data storage library that presents a locationassociated with said first address.
 16. The data storage library ofclaim 7 wherein moving said second portable storage cartridge from saidsecond slot to said data transfer device is accomplished via a cartridgepicking device.
 17. A storage library arranged to perform a method, themethod comprising: receiving a first set of instructions from a hostcomputer to unload a first data storage cartridge from a cartridge datatransfer device and return the first data storage cartridge to adesignated location in a shelf system; responding to the host computerthat the first set of instructions are complete, even though the firstset of instructions have not been physically carried out; receiving asecond set of instructions from the host computer to move a second datastorage cartridge from said shelf system and load said second datastorage cartridge in the cartridge data transfer device; transportingthe second data storage cartridge from the shelf system to a positionwhere a picker device is capable of disposing the second data storagecartridge in the cartridge data transfer device, said second datastorage cartridge is disposed in a magazine that accommodates aplurality of data storage cartridges; removing the first data storagecartridge from the cartridge data transfer device via said picker deviceand disposing the first data storage cartridge in a repository; loadingthe second data storage cartridge in the cartridge data transfer device;removing the first data storage cartridge from the repository; disposingsaid first data storage cartridge in said magazine; and transporting themagazine possessing the first data storage cartridge back to the shelfsystem.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein said magazine possesses aplurality of slots that each have a logical address, each of saidplurality of slots are arranged to accommodate one data storagecartridge, and wherein said first data storage cartridge is disposed insaid magazine in a first slot associated with a first slot address butprior to said first slot being associated with said first slot address,said first slot was associated with a second slot address associatedwith said second data storage cartridge.
 19. The method of claim 17further comprising executing said first and said second set ofinstructions via a library interface, memory device, a processingdevice, a controller, a robotic transporter and a picker device.
 20. Themethod of claim 17 wherein the repository is located within twelveinches of the cartridge data transfer device.
 21. A library storagesystem comprising a means for replacing a first tape cartridge relatingwith a tape drive with a second tape cartridge using a robotictransporter and picker device that essentially makes a first movecarrying the second tape cartridge disposed in a portable magazine froma shelf system to deliver to the tape drive and a second move returningthe first tape cartridge when disposed in said portable magazine to theshelf system, the first move occurs before the second move.
 22. Alibrary storage system adapted to replace a first storage cartridgerelating with a cartridge data transfer device with a second storagecartridge using a robotic transporter that essentially makes a firstmove carrying the second storage cartridge disposed in a magazine,adapted to support a plurality of storage cartridges, from a shelfsystem to deliver to the cartridge data transfer device and a secondmove, using the robotic transporter, returning the first storagecartridge disposed in said magazine to the shelf system, the first moveoccurs before the second move.